Men's Basketball

Tait

Morris twins to Bobcats? It’s possible

With the 2011 NBA Draft two weeks away, here’s an exercise that can be both challenging and therapeutic for Kansas University basketball fans who can’t wait to find out which NBA teams will land former Jayhawks Marcus and Markieff Morris in the June 23 draft in New Jersey.

First, log on to your favorite non-KUSports.com sports web site and take a look at this year’s draft order. If it’ll help, you can jot down a couple of notes about team needs, draft history or anything else.

Next, you do the drafting. Fill in the names of eligible players, starting with the first pick and going as far down as you’d like. For this exercise, stopping at the end of the first round should be fine. Hint: Jotting down Duke point guard Kyrie Irving for Cleveland at No. 1 and Arizona forward Derrick Williams in Minnesota’s spot at No. 2 should send you on your way.

Here’s the tough part. See if you can find a way for Marcus and Markieff, KU’s twin towers who have played together for as long as they can remember, to remain teammates in the NBA.

It’s tricky. But it can be done. ESPN.com’s Chad Ford proved that Wednesday, when he released his latest mock draft. In it, Ford has the Charlotte Bobcats taking Marcus Morris with the No. 9 overall pick and Markieff Morris at No. 19.

Charlotte owner Michael Jordan recently acquired the No. 19 pick from New Orleans, which originally got it from Portland, to bolster the Bobcats’ stable of big men. Based on Ford’s analysis, doing that by adding the Morris twins might not be as much of a pipe dream as it seems.

Marcus Morris going ninth is an easy sell. He could go higher, he could go lower, but he’s certainly a lottery pick, which means he’ll go in the Top 14.

Here’s Ford’s take on Marcus: “The Bobcats haven’t been the greatest drafters the past few years. Michael Jordan is determined to change that. The thinking in Charlotte is to not take big risks — to go with a proven product and swing for a double instead of a home run. Morris, with his versatility, toughness and Kansas pedigree is a very good option.”

So we’re good there. But Markieff Morris at No. 19 is a little more of a stretch. The reason? The Bobcats have to hope that Markieff still is available when their second pick in Round 1 rolls around. It’s possible, but there has been plenty of talk of him landing in the lottery, as well.

Here’s Ford’s take on Markieff and the potential Morris twins merger: “A month ago I was in Florida with the Morris twins and the big topic of discussion was the inevitability of the two brothers breaking up when they were drafted by different teams. We explored a number of options that could reunite them on the same team. This is really the only plausible one, and it’s more plausible than you think. The Bobcats are one of those teams that thinks the twins can play together. If it happens, you’ll see two very happy twins on draft night.”

“Very happy” is probably an understatement. And it’s all but certain that the happiness wouldn’t end with the twins. Although many KU fans root for Boston, Miami, Oklahoma City or whatever team Kirk Hinrich is playing for at the time, Charlotte would take a huge step forward in the race to become the Allen Fieldhouse favorites.

Comments

After hitting 38% on body fat to muscle mass ratio, he's signed to play some summer ball in Puerto Rico – contingent on no marijuana testing. Not sure if the stint in Lithuania merited a call-back or not.

Sherron was never going to make it in the NBA. Never. Anyone who followed him at KU, and has watched a fair amount of NBA ball knew that long before he ever left here. Great college player; not enough elite-level talent for the NBA. Period. He provides a perfect example of just how hard it is to make it, and just how physically suited a player has to be to live that dream- it's a much rarer thing than many people want to believe. Cole may in the exact same position (we'll find out for sure next year). It's a crazy tough league, for only the most elite athletes with the highest skill set (ok, with a few exceptions, maybe- but exceptions typically prove the rule, so to speak).

good point. there are certainly alot of veteran "niche" guys in the league who have developed or refined a very specific aspect of their game, or a set of "tricks" that suit them exceedingly well, and they manage to hang on for years after their sheer athleticism has waned-

jaybate could write a very lengthy sonnet about this (probably already has)

Interesting that Quebradillas means small streams... I guess there was no room for a big fish in the small stream. It is really sad. I had a friend several years ago - he couldn't push away from the dinner table. Essentially he ate himself to death. I would presume at some point we will be reading about the demise of Sherron. A shame and a total waste.

"Quebradillas decided to part ways with Sherron Collins (180-G-87, college: Kansas) just one day after his arrival. According to some sources, the former NBA player was not in shape and that was the reason why Quebradillas decided not to keep him."

The quote from the article noted by jhaux re: Collins.

Quote from Dean Wormer below that may be applicable .. note, I have no idea if Sherron was drunk.

Sherron's fall from grace is becoming an example of the excellence of the Kansas coaching and tutorial staff. To keep him in school, in shape and performing at a high level for four years looks more and more like it was a herculanean task.

I am sad for him and his inability to cope with his personal demons. I hope he finds his way back.

This whole "we can't play for different teams" thing is getting weird. Are they intending to live together the rest of their lives? Marry the same woman? Share a bank account? At some point, whether biologically the same or not, you have to become different people and live different lives. There are some deep rooted psychological issues at play here that should have been diagnosed by the tattoo artist who was asked to give them identical tattoos.

I agree, too. Who cares if you're on the same team. You're going to the NBA. You're going to make millions of dollars. You're going to live the dream. The twins need to grow into individuals. You can spend time with each other in the Summer.

I agree with you that it maybe healthy for the twins to discover somethings about themselves as individuals... As it would anyone, but to label twin brothers (who probably have near psychic abilities with each other, as many ident. twins do) has having psychological issues is going way to far. Put yourself in their big ass shoes, wouldn't you be happier if you could play with your twin brother?. I think People have to big of a problem over analyzing things that make other people happy.

They have actually given a lot of interviews in the last two weeks where they acknowledge that there is little chance of them playing together and they are cool with it. They just think it would be neat to stay teammates and NBA media types like Ford keep bringing it up because it is an interesting topic for them to write about. I don't think they seriously think they will be on the same team.

Sherron Collins is going to end up a bum someday. As in a homeless person, there is something seriously wrong with that kid. You wonder how good we could have been if Self didn't have to spend so much time keeping him straight.

The twins in Charlotte - they may need two Jayhawks to make up for the wasted effort with Collins there.

soswalt4 - I agree. But - Strikewso, I am interested to know why you say things like that? I honestly don't know anything about him, other than the fact that he was a very good player for us and had a little trouble with his weight. What do you know that makes you think there is something seriously wrong with him? Just curious.

I think it is a matter of perspective. He couldnt maintain discipline enough to have an NBA career. He flushed millions through his lack of discipline. If he is willing to waste a career, I think the next step in the process would be that he could waste his life.

The discipline necessary to maintain an NBA career is intense and demanding. There's a reason the NBA is largely considered the very highest level in the world at which one can play basketball. Only the most athletic, most disciplined, most gifted players succeed.

The idea that someone is likely to waste his life because he couldn't get it together for an NBA career is laughable. There are plenty of solid career options, especially for a guy who had the discipline to finish out his college degree.

It boggles my mind how we extrapolate such ridiculous things from the fact that a guy couldn't cut it as an NBA player and has problems maintaining an NBA-ideal weight. Collins is still probably in better shape than 70% of the commenters on this forum and has a degree, but we continue to see comments implying that he's a bum and a fat slob.

Yep, pretty much! It was his 3 and his pass that made Chalmers' 3 possible! And his steal in overtime started the butt-kicking in the OT! This kid did as much to win us that championship as any other person on the team. And he graduated from college after growing up in a pretty tough spot. Everybody applauded Mario Little's graduation, and he was a role player. Can't we applaud Sherron every once in a while for the things he HAS accomplished? He appears to have some growing up to do, but who didn't when they were in their early 20s.

I agree with you right up to the point that you say "wonder how good we could have been if Self didn't have to spend so much time keeping him straight." Umm... let me think... no way in hell KU wins the 08 championship game without sherron's steal and 3, not to mention the the assist on the NCAA tournament's greatest shot of all time. Self always admitted Sherron is who he is, and he'll take the good with the bad. Nothing else to wonder about.

Don't be so hard on the twins and their desire to play together. remember they are youngsters about to live their dream. It may not happen but don't hate on them for trying. Their behavior is typical of most identical twins. after all they have identical DNA, split in two

Not sure how anyone who doesn't have an identical twin themselves or isn't a psychiatrist is qualified to comment on what is a genuine psychological issue and what is just the unique relationship that identical twins share.

I've heard from identical twins that I've been friends with that the bond is so much deeper and complex than even the bond between regular siblings.

Seems to me that a team with 2 spots to fill for about the same size/skill players, could really benefit from having the twins. Think about how long they've played together, how they 'know' where the other one is going to be in the next few seconds as the game is flying down the court...

Those guys would be a real draw and fun to watch for the right team. I know I'd sure be watching them.

If I were running a team, I wouldn't spend 2 first rounders on the twins. Same exact background and pedigree...so if one underachieves or doesn't fit (as so often happens in the NBA), you've just doubled your draft miss. Diversify. These are two big investment eggs in one hit-or-miss basket.

You couldn't be more right.... Lets say the guy smokes pot everyday and eats deep fat fried peanut butter pork chops for the next 3 years... How the hell does that make him not worthy of KU basketball fans support. We hadn't won a championship in 20 years and thanks mostly to he and mario, we got it in the only Tournament in history to see 4 # 1 seeds... The guy obviously has the talent to play ball professionally, he probably just needs a little intervention from good friends before his mid 20's pass him by.

KU fans should act like a team and not pick and choose when they're going to put forth accolades. Sherron won a bazillion games here, we won a championship against the NBA MVP. And people have the nerve to call him a bum.